Paramount testing R-rated & PG-13 rated versions of Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

Tommy Wirkola’s HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS doesn’t hit until January 11th, which gives Paramount ample time to figure out who to market the film to. The Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton (below) action fantasy is said to have a mix of comedic tone and violent imagery, so much so that in test screenings, both a PG-13 cut and a R-rated cut have been shown. Oh, and the flick was quietly post-converted to 3D. Never a good sign…

Per a thread from The Lebanese Cinema Movie Guide, here are a few samples of what audience members have seen:

“I can’t say a lot because of agreements with the company, Overall I will say that I really enjoyed this one. It was different, violent, pretty funny- Sort of like Drive Angry 3D or Scott Pilgrim humor, and I thought everyone did well. It kind of felt like they nailed the ancient humor the way ‘Your Highness’ was supposed too but didn’t.” – User RickCastle

“The first one was definitely the Rated R version. Good humor, good action, great fight scenes, awesome dynamic between Renner and Arterton. I loved it so much the first time, I made a group of friends go to the second screening the next week. But the next week, they had heavily edited it and turned it into a PG-13 film. If they keep it R, it’s gonna be great. Silly, but actiony and fun. If it’s PG13, it won’t be worth it. Let’s hope it’s an R rating.” – user pyromaniac975

I tend to agree with Pyro. R-rating all the way…no need to neuter a film like this.